Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

[captmello]

I'm the type who can't leave well enough alone. I've decided to add a third tube to my 24' pontoon boat in my sig. As a result of the added Tube, I'll need to switch to a bunk style trailer. I am not removing my motor pod, but simply installing a shorter tube in front of it. My question for all you trailer experts is, why do i need a third bunk for the center tube? I've talked to a couple dealers who automatically add the center bunk for $200-300 more but I can't see the reasoning. the center toon weighs about 150 pounds. why does it need the support? My motor pod has no support under it and it must be 400+lbs with the motor hanging off the back.

Please help educate me.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

You do not "Need" bunks under the center Tube.
The extra weight will be suspended from the decking support just fine.
There will be extra stress as the trailer bounces going down the road; but no more than if there were 150# on the deck platform.

But, as you stated, You're "the type who can't leave well enough alone".
So I guess you will be adding the bunks whether they are "Needed" or not!

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

But, as you stated, You're "the type who can't leave well enough alone".
So I guess you will be adding the bunks whether they are "Needed" or not!

Haha, well...........maybe just a keel roller or two.

But seriously, both dealers made it seem manditory. seems like an option at best, For my package anyway. 10% upsell on the trailer.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

Hopefully someone else can answer this.

Is it recommended to support the toon floats on rollers if the bottom of the tube is round, not flat?
If you have round tubes the rollers may dent them bouncing on the trailer.
If they are octagonal, with a flat bottom you may be OK!

Carpeted bunks support the load over a much larger area.
A single bunk board lying flat may be all that is needed.
The side bunks would keep the boat centered in position.

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

Hopefully someone else can answer this.

Is it recommended to support the toon floats on rollers if the bottom of the tube is round, not flat?
If you have round tubes the rollers may dent them bouncing on the trailer.
If they are octagonal, with a flat bottom you may be OK!

Carpeted bunks support the load over a much larger area.
A single bunk board lying flat may be all that is needed.
The side bunks would keep the boat centered in position.

Ya, maybe not rollers either. I think I'll go with...nothing. Just the outer bunks. I'll save the money on the third bunk for some guides or something a little more useful/helpful.

thanks again for your thoughts. UW!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

captmello. are you also going to add more hp to this rig?? You really need to think this out. what are trying to accomplish.???

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

Why the 3rd tube? How much weight will the dingleberry have hanging unsupported? How much stress added to the structure designed for less? The engineers added some 'fudge' for extra weight but for this area? At this angle? Hey -- I have no answers just a lot of questions not fit for a boat dealer but the trailer manufacturer.

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

captmello. are you also going to add more hp to this rig?? You really need to think this out. what are trying to accomplish.???

I'm adding a third toon to add buoyancy and stability to my boat. I boat on a large lake and we are boating in chop quite often. I'm hoping that by adding the third toon I will have a drier more stable ride. We often boat with 8-10 people on board. More horsepower is in the plan but not for a year or two. I'm not trying to gain speed or performance really, just more comfort and less water over the sides. Actually, I have put some thought into this. But I'm always open to advise if you have some to offer.

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

Why the 3rd tube? How much weight will the dingleberry have hanging unsupported? How much stress added to the structure designed for less? The engineers added some 'fudge' for extra weight but for this area? At this angle? Hey -- I have no answers just a lot of questions not fit for a boat dealer but the trailer manufacturer.

I haven't weighed the third tube but I lifted it onto and off my trailer. I figure its about 150+/-. Its 18 feet long and will be supported by the crossmembers of my boat. The crossmembers are 24" o.c. So, according to my public school math, there will be about 15 lbs per crossmember hanging off the bottom of the deck. It seems insignificant to me.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

If you stand on it currently while it is on the trailer does it feel like it is giving when you jump up and down a little bit? Road bumps and vibration can work stuff loose over a short amount of time.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

Life with our Party cruiser has taught me a few things, so I have some answers...

Why the bunks? When we bought our PC, the port rear 1/3 tube had 90 gallons of water in it. Wasn't REAL obvious at first, although it DID list a bit in the back corner. 90 gallons of water weighs, what, nearly 600 pounds? If that tube is slowly taking on water and you don't know it, you'll WISH it had a bunk under it!
(btw, all that water came in over the years thru a hole the size of a toothpick, on TOP of the tube next to an M-bracket weld)

As for the bunks, you want 2 bunks, one down each side of the tube on a 30 or so degree angle, so the tube rides in the "V". Anything else and you're asking for dents, and possibly holes....

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

If you stand on it currently while it is on the trailer does it feel like it is giving when you jump up and down a little bit? Road bumps and vibration can work stuff loose over a short amount of time.

Currently Its on a scissor trailer, so no bounce. Come to think of it, the outer toons are hanging is the wind right now! What about that?

Life with our Party cruiser has taught me a few things, so I have some answers...

Why the bunks? When we bought our PC, the port rear 1/3 tube had 90 gallons of water in it. Wasn't REAL obvious at first, although it DID list a bit in the back corner. 90 gallons of water weighs, what, nearly 600 pounds? If that tube is slowly taking on water and you don't know it, you'll WISH it had a bunk under it!
(btw, all that water came in over the years thru a hole the size of a toothpick, on TOP of the tube next to an M-bracket weld)

As for the bunks, you want 2 bunks, one down each side of the tube on a 30 or so degree angle, so the tube rides in the "V". Anything else and you're asking for dents, and possibly holes....

I've been fighting a couple Pin hole leaks on my current tubes and know exactly where your coming from. Fortunately, all three tubes have drains and I will be checking the tubes often as I trailer my boat most of the time, or have it in a lift. either way i can check and or drain any leakage. My new third toon has been pressure check and is currently air tight.

thanks for the first hand experience. I still may add a third bunk at a later time, but I'm going to go with two for now.

Thanks again to all the Iboaters for their input!

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

I sometimes wonder about trailers that leave the bunks hanging out. The boat can probably support the hanging weight of several hundred pounds but the stress can't be good. Also, I hear about so many of those tipping over?

Here's my leak, and a closeup. I drained the log and wire-brushed the leak area-- I had some underwater epoxy putty stick so I mixed up a small piece and jammed it in and around the hole, just temporary until I could get it welded up. That was 2005 and the log still holds pressure. If it ain't broke... Pretty sure it came from the factory like that. Water flows right over that bracket when underway. Not a big hole, but 90 gallons of water found its way in over 10 years use!

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

I don't have any support under my center tube, and have had no problems at all. And this boat travels a lot. 1,100 miles from the dealership to my home.

 

[captmello]

Re: Tritoon trailer, why the center bunk?

I sometimes wonder about trailers that leave the bunks hanging out. The boat can probably support the hanging weight of several hundred pounds but the stress can't be good. Also, I hear about so many of those tipping over?

Here's my leak, and a closeup. I drained the log and wire-brushed the leak area-- I had some underwater epoxy putty stick so I mixed up a small piece and jammed it in and around the hole, just temporary until I could get it welded up. That was 2005 and the log still holds pressure. If it ain't broke... Pretty sure it came from the factory like that. Water flows right over that bracket when underway. Not a big hole, but 90 gallons of water found its way in over 10 years use!

Interesting, I've got to rig up a pressure tester to test my outside toons, I know, no more than 5-6 psi.
I cant tell what is in your second pic, but whatever it is, it looks bad.

I don't have any support under my center tube, and have had no problems at all. And this boat travels a lot. 1,100 miles from the dealership to my home.

thank for your courage in posting that.

I'm going to look at trailers again today.